Qatar Airways’ private jet operation grows managed aircraft fleet

Qatar Executive sees significant potential in Qatar and GCC countries

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Executive’s service portfolio has received a significant boost, as Qatar Airways’ private jet division is rapidly developing and expanding its aircraft management business from its Doha-hub.

In response to great demand from Qatari customers who have acquired their own business aircraft, Qatar Executive has seen a substantial growth in aircraft management agreements and added three owned jets to its fleet over the past 18 months.

The service Qatar Executive provides aircraft owners with is tailored to each individual’s requirements, but generally includes taking care of the entire flight operation, trip planning, and the allocation of highly experienced pilots and flight attendants, right up to the organisation of catering and all ground arrangements including fueling, hangar parking and cleaning of the aircraft in Doha and worldwide.

Aircraft owners benefit from Qatar Executive’s in-house competencies such as the skilled and experienced aircraft maintenance team, which ensures that all maintenance work and operations are performed to the highest standards in compliance with a number of the world’s leading regulatory authorities.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, who also heads up the airline’s business jet division, said: “Our private jet division is an integral part of the Qatar Airways group and has developed into a world-class corporate aviation operation since its start in 2009.

“Apart from our successful charter business, we are now extremely pleased to be able to offer aircraft management services to our elite clientele and are seeing substantial market potential for this attractive new business aviation product,” said Mr. Al Baker.

With Qatar Executive being part of the world renowned award-winning Qatar Airways’ group, aircraft owners can be assured of receiving the highest levels of service in terms of quality, comfort and expertise and also take advantage of the airline’s global network and combined procurement power for a range of services required, when operating an aircraft.

Executive Vice President of Qatar Executive David Edwards commented: “The past 18 months have been marked by continual growth of our aircraft management business and we are delighted with the customer response we are receiving for our product. Our clients value our knowledge in the field and the benefits the Qatar Airways group is able to bring.”

He continued: “Taking into account that owning a private jet is a significant investment and comes with considerable and complex responsibilities, it is important to work with an experienced partner who takes care of all of the challenges of ownership, ensuring owners can simply enjoy hassle-free flight experiences.”

Another exciting service aspect offered by Qatar Executive is that aircraft owners can request for their jet to be rented to third parties when it is not in use and thereby generate revenue to offset the costs of ownership.

In such cases, Qatar Executive will provide all the necessary guidance and work closely with the aircraft owners to develop a custom-tailored charter programme, which includes monthly financial and operational reports.

Qatar Executive currently operates a long-range fleet of eight modern Bombardier aircraft including three Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s and a Global XRS with a two cabin configuration and a capacity for up to 13 passengers.

In addition, Qatar Executive received a 40-seat Airbus A319 All-Premium Class aircraft in February, which is also available for worldwide charter for larger groups.

The fleet size is also set to increase, as Qatar Executive recently announced the purchase of up 30 aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp, including firm orders and options of a combination of Gulfstream’s new wide-cabin aircraft, the G500 and G600, and the flagship G650ER. The first G650ER aircraft is expected to join Qatar Executive’s fleet in the last quarter of 2015.

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About Qatar Airways Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo serves more than 40 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to 146 key business and leisure destinations globally on 142 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes four Airbus 330 and seven Boeing 777 freighters. At the Dubai Airshow 2013, Qatar Airways placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 freighters. Also included in the order were eight additional A330-200F options, for a total of 13 aircraft. At the recent Farnborough Show, Qatar Airways announced its intent to order four 777 freighters and options for four more. IATA's Airline Industry Forecast 2014-2018 report mentions that Qatar will be a notable growth country with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7 percent, making it the sixth-fastest growing to take its total freight tonnes to 1,484,000 per annum.